“Once the whole model of the consumer market changed, businesses could work differently. They worked together instead of in competition with other. If one shop couldn’t supply something, they would happily direct a customer elsewhere. They knew that, one day, the other shop would do the same and send a customer to them. They worked together instead of trying to squash each other, and there was a sense of community and togetherness.
“There was a move to localized production, independent businesses and collectives. Lots of things got smaller and it allowed for more variety. Without the drive to compete, a business could be more innovative and instigate new ideas. Products and services were better designed and took greater care of resources. Components were standardized and interchangeable, to reduce waste and redundancy.
“The division between rich and poor changed, but not because the poor got everything the rich had or because the rich renounced all the material wealth. They met on a different ground. Interest-free micro-loans were better organized, which gave more people the chance to change their own circumstances. They took control rather than having to accept charity. Oh, and the lid was blown open about charities. Some of those charities had made a few people very rich.
“But the days were over where having more was a sign of wealth. Money and status became low priority. What became important were things like sharing with friends and family, being creative, time in the garden. People wanted more time, and they started to work less. The drop in the population helped, too, but no one needed as much anymore. Resources could be shared. As people had their basic needs met of shelter, food and clean water, and with time and opportunities for recreation, human and social health could flourish.”